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Masahiro Tanaka wants to play in the MLB

By Josh Sanchez

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Dec 11, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Rakuten Golden Eagles president Yozo Tachibana (right) walks through the lobby during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Tachibana has not decided whether or not to allow Masahiro Tanaka (not pictured) to sign with a MLB team now that Nippon Professional Baseball and the MLB have agreed on a $20 Million maximum posting bid. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Rakuten Golden Eagles president Yozo Tachibana (right) walks through the lobby during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Tachibana has not decided whether or not to allow Masahiro Tanaka (not pictured) to sign with a MLB team now that Nippon Professional Baseball and the MLB have agreed on a $20 Million maximum posting bid. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

If your favorite MLB team is looking to add a quality pitcher to the rotation, you should be happy to hear that Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka is looking to play in the states. During the MLB Winter Meetings last week, Rakuten Golden Eagles president Yozo Tachibana (pictured above) was making the rounds to gauge interest in Tanaka as he decides whether or not to allow the pitcher to sign in the Major Leagues and now the pitcher is speaking out.

“I informed my team that I would like them to allow me to test my abilities in Major League Baseball next season,” Tanaka said, via ESPN.

While Tanaka is not eligible for free agency until 2015 after his team denied to post him, there is plenty of interest in the 25-year-old ace.

Last season while with the Golden Eagles, Tanaka went an incredible 24-0 while posting a 1.27 ERA.

If he is able to repeat that performance in the upcoming season and help the Golden Eagles to another Japan Series title, the interest will only continue to increase and it could mean a big pay day ahead for his Japanese team.

Of course, the Golden Eagles would have to agree to post him in 2015 in order for him to join the MLB, so there is still plenty that will need to play out in order for Tanaka’s dream to play in the states can come true.

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